COUNTRY

Afghanistan

This content is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this content. It is not legal advice and shall not be relied on as such.

header image for Afghanistan

Flag

Currency

؋ (AFN)

Work Hours

48/week

Afghanistan shares borders with Iran, Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. To the east and south, it is bordered by Pakistan and parts of Kashmir that are administered by Pakistan. Iran lies to its north, and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are to its north. Afghanistan is a country rich in history. This is where Alexander the Great married his Afghani wife Roxanne. The country is ruled by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which seeks foreign investment.

Employment contracts In Afghanistan must be in writing in the local language. A translation may be attached to the contract for those who do not speak the local language. The employer must give a copy of the signed contract to the employee and to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The standard work week in Afghanistan is 40 hours over five days. Employees are entitled to a percentage of basic wages for overtime during the work week, weekends and holidays. Special rules apply to younger workers and to work performed at night.

Employees receive 20 days of paid sick leave a year in Afghanistan. If an employee is sick for more than five consecutive days, a note from a doctor or health organization may be required.

A female employee is entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave in Afghanistan, 30 days before the birth date and 60 days after. There is no statutory paternity leave.

Afghanistan does not have minimum wages for private workers. Bonuses are at the employer’s discretion.

Full-time employees are entitled to 20 consecutive days of annual leave per year in Afghanistan, after working for their employer for 11 consecutive months.

In Afghanistan, the public holidays are:

  • Liberation Day

  • First Day of Ramadan

  • Eid al-Fitr

  • Mujahedeen Victory Day

  • Labor Day

  • Day of Arafat

  • Eid al-Adha

  • Ashura

  • Independence Day (National Day)

  • Mawlid

Afghanistan has a limited healthcare system, and no public healthcare system. 

Employers are required to notify employees prior to terminating employment in Afghanistan. The notice period is one month. An employment contract may be terminated for many reasons including:

  • agreement by the parties,

  • completion of a fixed-term contract,

  • retirement,

  • a disability that hinders the performance of work,

  • cessation of work for more than six months,

  • dissolution of the administration or reduction in the number of the staff, and

  • repeated misconduct following disciplinary actions.

  • Local Laws & Regulations

    We understand that local laws and regulations change and sourcing an accurate reference guide is not easy. Our data is researched and verified by our team of local international Employment Attorneys, HR and Benefit Professionals and Tax Accountants through our Atlas team and consultants, to ensure information up-to-date and accurate.

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